Rev. James Lewis Gilliland Sr.

Rev. James Lewis Gilliland, age 84, of Blue Ridge, GA, passed away on Sunday, May 3, 2026, in Chattanooga, TN. James was born August 10, 1941, in Jackson, OH to George and Mary Gilliland.

Rev. James served the Lord for 60 years in the Ministry. He loved to play and sing gospel music. Family was everything to him.

James was preceded in death by his father, George Gilliland; mother, Mary Gilliland; brother, George Gilliland; brother, Robert Gilliland; and sister, Nancy Josephine.

He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Nancy Gilliland; daughter, Sheila (Ricky) Fowler; son, James Gilliland; sisters, Eileen (Richard) Dodge, Wilma Jean Khulman, Karen Sue (Mark) Hall, Paula Ann (Johnny) Tackett, and Vickie (Shawn) Hay; grandchildren, Amanda Fowler, Amy (Matthew) Harris, Amber Gilliland, Jessica Gilliland, and Raegan Garcia; great-grandchildren, Avery Jaynes, Dylan Jaynes, Allison Gilliland, Dakota Dixon, and Aribella Dixon; and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral Service, on Thursday May 7, 2026, at 1:00 PM at Cochran-McDaniel Funeral Home of Blue Ridge with Rev. David Mashburn and Rev. Joey Patterson officiating. Music provided by Pat Mashburn, Joey Patterson, and Lindy Patterson.

The following gentlemen will serve as pallbearers, Danny Collis, Davell Patterson, Jackie Cochran, Wesley Patterson, Nathan Campbell, and Nathan Chancy.

Interment will follow at Old Cherry Log Baptist Church Cemetery, Cherrylog, GA. in Blue Ridge, GA.

The family will receive friends at Cochran-McDaniel Funeral Home of Blue Ridge on Wednesday, May 06, 2026, from 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM.

Cochran-McDaniel Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Rev. James Lewis Gilliland; you may send condolences to the family and sign the guest register at www.cochranmcdaniel.com.